sick

just a quick post to say i have been sick in bed for the last 48 hours.....with only 1 weekend left before christmas not the best timing. today i feel a little bit like my old self. hopefully later i can get a few things done. my husband has been a real trooper this weekend helping out around the house and taxing the kids around - not to mention taking care of me.

this original is entitled "shakifo". my youngest son went through a phase where he named everything that (?!) who knows why. in honor of how sweet he has been to me while i've been sick - i have named her shakifo for him.

hope you are all staying healthy and enjoying the holiday spirit! ox, mary ann

Starry, Starry Weekend

this weekend my hometown has a huge shopping event featuring local artists with lots of fun events for kids and adults. i have been very busy getting ready for it as my work is being featured in 3 shops! this is one of my new originals that will be available in prints and cards. i mentioned before that i have been working on a new series with houses and am loving how whimsical they are- but have to keep most of them under wraps for a little while longer. more on that soon! hope you enjoying the season. ox, mary ann

Busy, Busy, Busy

wow....can you believe its december 1st already? i have been trying to work non-stop to gear up for this busy time of year...but keep getting sidetracked following blog, after blog after blog. i am here to admit that i have become addicted to my new morning ritual. i wake up, get my coffee and log onto my home page, now cresendoh. i then find myself, hours later with a list a mile long of new ideas and tutorials i have printed out to try. the tutorials out there are amazing. last night (when i should have been doing computer work and new listings) i made an awesome anthropology inspired necklace that i found on a tutorial (i need to check my history pages before i post a picture of it - because i want to give credit but can't remember where i found it! more soon).

i wanted to post a sneak preview of some new sets i have been working on and will get up in the etsy shop soon. i am loving these houses and the bright colors - can you tell i am fighting winter weather?

oops - forgot to mention the new header!!! it took me hours to figure out how to do it. this is a picture of julie and me that we photoshopped together and then i played around with it to add the santa hats! we use this picture (with out the hats of course) with some of our marketing material. thought i'd share it with all of you! remember to take a minute each day to be still and be in the moment. this time of year we all get so caught up in all that we have to do and all that is going on that we don't enjoy being in the moment. so i challenge you to take time each day and be present.... ox, mary ann